JPH0654510B2 - Coin discriminator - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention arranges a measuring sensor that forms an oscillating magnetic field in the rolling path of a coin, measures the effect of the passage of the coin on the oscillating magnetic field, and The present invention relates to a coin discriminating device for discriminating suitability.

(B) Conventional Technology As such a coin discriminating apparatus, there is a technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-27387, which uses the material (electrical conductivity) of coins depending on the degree of influence of the passage of coins on the oscillating magnetic field. ) ・
A measuring sensor for measuring each feature of the plate thickness and outer diameter is provided, and the authenticity of the coin is determined by whether or not the value of the degree of influence of the passage of the coin on the measuring sensor for each feature is appropriate. However, the value of the degree of influence by each measurement sensor shows various variations for the following reasons.

(1) Variation of coins during coin making or degree of wear (2) Variation of coin passing speed (3) Measurement error of measurement sensor (4) Variation due to temperature, voltage and aging In order to perform% classification, it is general to set an allowable range of influence value for each feature. Explaining further by FIG. 2, A in the same figure shows the arrangement of the measurement sensors (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ), which is on the coin rail (6) communicating with the coin slot (4). The coins are sequentially arranged along the rolling direction of the coins. Such measuring sensor (S ₁ ) (S ₂ )
When a coin passes through (S ₃ ), the drawing number (14) is shown in FIG. 2B, respectively.
(16) The detected waveforms shown in (18) are obtained and their maximum values P ₁ , P ₂ ,
Detect P ₃ as the degree of influence. And these influences P ₁ and P ₂
・ The suitability of coins is determined by checking whether P ₃ is within the permissible range ₁₁・₂₁・₃₁ shown in Fig. 2C set for each measurement sensor (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ). To do.

(C) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In the above-mentioned conventional technology, the measurement sensor is selected in terms of the oscillation frequency and shape or the mounting position from the coin rail (6) so as to be sensitive only to the characteristic to be measured. , The measured value inevitably contains other characteristic elements. For example, when trying to measure the material of a coin, the influence of the plate thickness is included. Therefore, when a fake coin made of a material having a smaller electric conductivity than the true coin and a thicker plate, or a fake coin made of a material having a larger electric conductivity than the true coin and a thinner plate is inserted, it may exhibit the effect of the _{12, 22, 32} shown in FIG. 2 C. In order to sort such fake coins, the allowable range must be set narrow. In this case, even for genuine coins, when the value of the degree of influence is near the upper limit of the allowable range due to the above variation, it is excluded.

From the above point of view, the present invention provides a coin discriminating apparatus capable of discriminating false coins having a complex appearance factor and having an appropriate apparent influence degree.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has a plurality of measurement sensors that form an oscillating magnetic field, and the degree of influence of a coin passing through the oscillating magnetic field on the measurement sensor. In a coin discriminating apparatus that discriminates coins by detecting different features of coins, a permissible range for discriminating the detected degree of influence as appropriate is stored for each of the features, and a part or a part thereof is stored for each corresponding permissible range. A storage device that stores the prohibited range that includes all of the allowed ranges, and a corresponding allowable range that is stored in the storage device with a value that indicates each degree of influence when the degree of influence of the measurement sensor is detected by the passage of a coin. And the prohibited range, all impact values are within the corresponding allowable range, and all impact values or at least one impact value corresponds to the prohibited range. It is obtained and a control device that determines to be outside the coin proper.

(E) Action By the coin discriminating device, the influence degree detected by the measurement sensor due to the passage of coins is checked for each feature with the corresponding allowable range and prohibition range stored in the storage device, and all the influence degrees are detected. If the value of is within the corresponding allowable range and all the influence levels or at least one influence level value is outside the corresponding prohibition range, the coin is determined to be proper, and a false copy that closely resembles the true coin is made in advance. It is possible to reliably exclude counterfeit coins that are all included in the prohibited range set assuming coins.

(F) will be described in the embodiment Figure 2, the present invention tolerance _{11, 21,}
Along with ₃₁ , a counterfeit coin that closely resembles a true coin is a measurement sensor (S ₁ )
The range of the value of the degree of influence on (S ₂ ) and (S ₃ ) is ₁₂ , _22, and ₃₂ as the prohibited range. This prohibited range in this example shows the case of a fake coin that has a combination of characteristics of material and plate thickness and an appropriate degree of apparent influence. Then, by inserting coins, the degree of influence on each measurement sensor (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ) P ₁・ P ₂
- Upon detection of the P _3, the impact P ₁ · P ₂ · P ₃ each tolerance _{11, 21, 31} and forbidden ranges _{12, 22, 32}
If all the impact values are within the corresponding allowable range and some impact values are outside the corresponding prohibited range, the inspection coin is validated.

FIG. 1 shows a discrimination processing circuit of a coin sorting apparatus to which the present invention is applied. The measurement sensor (S ₁ ) includes an oscillator (11) that oscillates at a relatively low frequency such as 3 KHz and an oscillating coil (15). ) Is connected. Since the magnetic flux induced by such oscillation frequency penetrates into the coin, the degree of influence of the coin on the oscillating magnetic field mainly depends on the material of the coin, and the maximum frequency of the oscillator (11) at that time is measured. By doing so, the degree of influence on the material can be obtained. The measuring sensors (S ₂ ) and (S ₃ ) are oscillators that oscillate at a relatively high frequency such as 1 MHz.
The oscillation coils (17) and (19) are connected to (12) and (13), respectively. Since the magnetic flux induced by the oscillation frequency penetrates only to the vicinity of the surface of the coin, the degree of influence of the coin on the oscillation magnetic field mainly depends on the shape of the coin. Therefore, the measurement sensors (S ₂ ) and (S ₃ ) are set for plate thickness measurement and outer diameter measurement, respectively, by varying the shape and the arrangement height from the coin rail (6). That is, if the measurement sensor (S ₂ ) is formed to have a small diameter and the surface area is set so as to face the coin, the influence of the coin on the oscillating magnetic field depends on the distance between the coin and the measurement sensor (S ₂ ). Therefore, if the maximum frequency of the oscillator (12) due to the passage of coins is measured, it is possible to obtain the degree of influence particularly indicating the plate thickness even in the shape. The measuring sensor (S ₃ ) has a relatively large diameter and is arranged with a small clearance from the coin rail (6) so that the area facing the coin differs depending on the outer diameter of the coin. If set to, the degree of influence of the coin on the oscillating magnetic field depends on the outer diameter of the coin, even in the shape. Therefore, by measuring the maximum frequency of the oscillator (13) due to the passage of coins, the degree of influence showing the outer shape can be obtained.

The control device (2) sequentially and repeatedly outputs the control signals a, b, c in connection with the measurement of the measurement sensors (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ), but the oscillator (11) is generated by the generation of the control signal a. The oscillation output of the oscillator (12) is introduced into the counter (1) through the AND gate (21) and the OR gate (24), and the oscillation output of the oscillator (12) is generated through the AND gate (22) and the OR gate (24) due to the generation of the control signal b. counter
Introduced to (1), the oscillator (1
The oscillation output of 3) is introduced into the counter (1) through the AND gate (23) and the OR gate (24). The counter (1) detects the oscillation frequency of the oscillator (11) by counting the oscillation output output from the AND gate (21) during the generation period of the control signal a, and the AND gate (22) during the generation period of the control signal b. ), The oscillation frequency of the oscillator (12) is detected by counting the oscillation output, and the oscillator output (13) is counted by counting the oscillation output of the AND gate (23) during the generation period of the control signal C. The oscillation frequency of is detected. And controller (2)
Each control signal a. b. The oscillation frequency data counted by the counter (1) is introduced in a predetermined sampling period by the output of c, and a clear signal (5) is output after the introduction. When a coin is inserted and approaches each measurement sensor (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ), the oscillation frequency of each oscillator (11) (12) (13) rises accordingly, and it drops when it separates after passing. To do. Therefore the control device
(2) is the maximum frequency P ₁ of the oscillator (11) which is the degree of influence on the measurement sensor (S ₁ ) by inserting a coin by successively comparing the oscillation frequency data introduced every time the control signal a is output. Is detected and the oscillation frequency data introduced each time the control signal b is output is sequentially compared to detect the maximum frequency P ₂ of the oscillator (12) which is the degree of influence on the measurement sensor (S ₂ ). Each time the control signal C is output, the oscillation frequency data that is introduced is successively compared and the oscillator (1) that is the degree of influence on the measurement sensor (S ₃ ) is detected.
3) to detect the maximum frequency P ₃ of. The memory (3) has a second
Upper limit data B ₁ and lower limit data A ₁ for allowable range ₁₁ and upper limit data B ₂ for prohibited range ₁₂ shown in the figure.
And lower limit data A ₂ , upper limit data D ₁ and lower limit data C ₁ for allowable range ₂₁ , upper limit data D ₂ and lower limit data C ₂ for prohibited range ₂₂ , upper limit data F ₁ and lower limit data E ₁ for allowable range ₃₁ , Prohibited area ₃₂
For, the upper limit data F ₂ and the lower limit data E ₂ are set respectively. When the control device (2) detects the influence degree P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ on the measurement sensors (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ) by inserting a coin, the influence degree P _{1 is set} to the allowable range ₁₁ and prohibited. range
Compared with ₁₂ , the degree of influence P ₂ is allowable range ₂₁ and prohibited range ₂₂
The influence degree P ₃ is checked against the allowable range ₃₁ and the prohibited range _32.
To match. The impact _P 1 _{· P} 2 _{· P 3} satisfies the allowable range _{11, 21, 31} corresponding all respectively, and impact _{P 1,} P 2 · prohibited range, each one with also corresponding _{P 3 12} - ₂₂ If it is outside ₃₂ , the control device (2) judges that this coin is proper and outputs a proper signal R.

With such a structure, when a fake coin having a thin plate made of a material having a higher electric conductivity than that of a true coin is inserted, the degree of influence indicated by a Δ symbol in FIG. 2 is obtained. That is, such counterfeit coins
The maximum oscillation frequency P _1, which is the degree of influence on the measurement sensor (S ₁ ) due to its inherently high electrical conductivity, shows a high value, but the distance between the measurement sensor (S ₁ ) and the counterfeit coin is small due to the thin plate thickness. Becomes larger and the maximum oscillation frequency P ₁ shows a lower value
Within ₁₁ . However, at this time, the prohibited range ₁₂ is also satisfied. Further, the maximum oscillation frequency P ₂ which is the degree of influence on the measurement sensor (S ₂ ) originally shows a low value because the plate thickness is thin, but within the allowable range ₂₁ beyond the lower limit data C _{1 due} to the large electric conductivity. Becomes However, at this time, the prohibited range ₂₂ is also satisfied. The maximum oscillation frequency P ₃ is a further degree of influence on the measuring sensor (S ₃₎ shows a high value for the outer diameter is larger and electric conductivity normal, upper data F ₁ is the thickness of thin minute low The following is within the allowable range ₃₁ .
However, at this time, the prohibited range ₃₂ is also satisfied.
Therefore, the degree of influence P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ due to such counterfeit coins all satisfy the allowable range ₁₁ , ₂₁ , _{31 but} are in the prohibited range ₁₂ . ₂₂ and ₃₂ can be eliminated because they are all satisfied.

In addition, when the reference specie coins and the specie coins with large variations are thrown in, the material is of course the same as the reference specie coins, so at least one influence value is out of the prohibited range, as indicated by the ○ symbol in Fig. 2. Since it comes off, it can be determined to be proper.

(G) Effect of the Invention According to the present invention, an allowable range is set for each of a plurality of influence values to be collated, and a prohibited range in which a part or all of the corresponding allowable range is included Is. Even if all the influences satisfy the allowable range, but also the prohibited range is satisfied at the same time, it is judged as a false coin.
It is possible to reliably separate a fake coin that closely resembles a true coin, a reference genuine coin, and a genuine coin that has a large variation. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate false coins having a degree of influence very similar to that of the true coins without sacrificing the acceptability of the true coins, thereby improving the coin selection accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a discrimination processing circuit according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of discrimination processing. (S ₁ ) (S ₂ ) (S ₃ ) ... Measurement sensor, (1) ... Counter, (2) ... Control device, (3) ... Memory, (11) (12) (13) ... Oscillator, (15) (1
7) (19)… Oscillation coil.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A coin discriminating apparatus in which a plurality of measuring sensors forming an oscillating magnetic field are arranged, and coins are discriminated by detecting different characteristics of coins depending on the degree of influence of the coin passing through the oscillating magnetic field on the measuring sensor. In the storage device, the allowable range for judging the detected degree of influence as appropriate is stored for each of the features, and the prohibited range including a part or all of the corresponding allowable range is stored for each allowable range. When the degree of influence on each of the measurement sensors is detected by passage of each of the measurement values, the value indicating each degree of influence is compared with the corresponding allowable range and prohibition range stored in the storage device, and all the allowable degree values correspond to the allowable range. And a control device for discriminating the coin as proper when all the influence values or at least one influence value is outside the corresponding prohibited range. A coin discriminating device characterized by the above.